The Empire State Medical, Scientific and Educational Foundation, Inc. (ESMSEF) is a not-for-profit corporation focused on providing quality medical review services throughout New York State and nationally. As an independent review organization, ESMSEF has been involved in Statewide and National medical review since 1984. Since our inception, over 2 million medical reviews have been conducted at all levels of care (including acute care, observation, SNF, outpatient and physician offices). We have office locations in Westbury, NY (Long Island) and Camillus, NY (near Syracuse).
In 2013, ESMSEF became URAC-accredited as an Independent Review Organization: Comprehensive. We have maintained our URAC accreditation, currently as an Independent Review Organization: External. The Foundation can assist clients with independent external review services, utilization review, coding validation, and cost outlier/billing validation services. Our team is experienced and proficient in meeting stringent timeframes when performing standard and expedited medical reviews. We are free of any significant conflicts of interest, allowing us to provide a truly independent and unbiased review decision.
Our clients trust our experience, knowledge and our ability to resolve issues quickly, fairly and in an equitable and unbiased manner.
Our mission is to support the concept of quality physician and medical peer review throughout New York State and the U.S. by developing and implementing innovative utilization review, quality assurance and educational programs for the practitioner, payor and patient communities.
Our Vision
- To expand our national recognition as a medical peer review organization.
- To become the premier provider of independent medical peer review services in New York State.
Our Values
- To provide quality independent medical review services to our clients that meet or exceed their expectations
- Through continued education of our employees, we ensure that staff are current with all regulations and guidelines to ensure the quality of the work performed is at the highest level
- To act with integrity in an ethical, moral and honest manner
- To promote a positive work environment that stresses teamwork and collaboration, while recognizing employee growth and development
Our Leadership
Frances Scott – Executive Vice President
Ms. Scott has served as Executive Vice President of ESMSEF since 2022. Ms. Scott has been with the Foundation since 1991 serving in a variety roles. Most recently she was the Director of Review-Upstate and then Chief Operating Officer-Upstate. Ms. Scott is responsible for the oversight of all operations and programs run by the Foundation. She oversees the implementation of policies and procedures and serves as the liaison between the Foundation and its Board of Directors.
Ms. Scott received her bachelor of science degree in health information management from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. She has served on the Board of NYHIMA, CNYHIMA and, most recently, NAIRO.
Roberta Bocker, RN, BSN – Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Bocker has served as the Chief Operating Officer since 2020. Ms. Bocker has been with the Foundation since 1986 and has held various supervisor positions within the company, including Director of Review. Ms. Bocker is responsible for the oversight of all utilization review programs and nursing staff. She oversees the implementation of policies and procedures by the nurse and physician reviewers. Prior to working at the Foundation, Ms. Bocker worked in utilization review for an insurance company and several hospitals.
Ms. Bocker received her bachelor of science degree in nursing from SUNY Stonybrook in Stonybrook, NY.
Mark Finger, MD, FACP – Medical Director
Dr. Finger has served as the Medical Director for the Foundation since 2013. Dr. Finger is Board Certified in nephrology and is a fellow of the American College of Physicians. As Medical Director, his responsibilities include recommending and approving policies and procedures as they relate to the medical review programs. He participates in the recruitment of new clinical specialists and oversees the credentialing of clinical reviewers prior to their participation in review activities. He performs quality monitoring and provides education to our clinical reviewers to ensure decisions are made in accordance with nationally recognized medical criteria and medical policy.
Throughout his career, he has served as Medical Director and Chief of Nephrology for several hospitals in the Long Island area. In addition to being in active practice, he is an Assistant Professor of Medicine with Northwell Health.
Christopher Togias – Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Togias has been working in the capacity of Controller for the Foundation since 2021. He has over 40 years of experience in accounting-related fields representing both the public and private sectors. He has been an accounting instructor for over 35 years in both college and adult continuing education settings.
Mr. Togias oversees all accounting and financial facets of the organization to include daily cash and investment management review, monthly bank reconciliations, journal entry input and review, accounts payable maintenance and review, payroll processing, formulating and completing monthly financial statements. He oversees the implementation of policies and procedures in accordance with generally accepted accounting Principles (GAAP), and serves as the liaison between ESMSEF and an outside accounting firm performing an annual audit. Mr. Togias graduated with honors, finishing his four years in accounting at Bryant & Stratton College and SUNY Empire State College.